February Pets of the Month

Sinbad is a handsome black and white Pit Bull/Mix who is about 4-5 years old. Sinbad has been at the shelter going on three years. He was surrendered because his owner could no longer care for him.

Sinbad has had few problems while living at the shelter. He is a typical dog – meaning that he is happy “in the moment”. He adores people and attention; he is very social. He has no problem meeting “strangers”; everyone that he meets is his new “best friend”. Sinbad’s worst habit is his “vertical leap” – not as high as some dogs but he definitely is a ‘jack-in-the-box’ – up and down, up and down! He is a fun dog to walk – but you may not necessarily find it to be a relaxing afternoon stroll. He is very strong and is a “puller” when being walked (yes, we’ll get to the part about obedience training). Sinbad can be trusted with even the “novice” walkers if they (the novices) can get past his “springiness” in the kennel and can keep up with him as he is pulling them onward! Sinbad recently underwent a routine evaluation. He was very calm in the testing environment (with the evaluators whom he had never met before - three new best friends)!☺ The evaluators described him as confident throughout the evaluation. It was noted that although he was easily aroused, he calmed down quickly. At the shelter, Sinbad does not get a lot of opportunity to interact with other dogs, but he seems to be somewhat ‘passive’ when around other dogs. Now cats are a different story – they seem to ‘worry’ him just a bit.

If you are planning to adopt a dog, Sinbad may or may not be the dog for you. He needs a “strong” family who will be consistent and will set rules and boundaries. Sinbad does know some commands and responds to corrections. ICHS recently has added a “basic training program” to the daily routine in which commands are practiced/reinforced each time that the dogs are walked. His ‘listening habits’ are improving – especially when treats are involved! When adopted, it would be in the best interest of Sinbad and his family to enroll him in an obedience training class. Obviously the better trained that Sinbad (and his family) is, the happier everyone will be. Sinbad has too much energy to be around small children and the verdict is still out on cats – but he should do well with most dogs if properly introduced. If you are the family that Sinbad has been waiting for, please come and get to know him. If Sinbad won’t fit into your home and with your family, do you perhaps know a family who would be a good fit for him? Sinbad is waiting for a chance to get to know YOU – he truly is a treasure!

Vegas & Lance

Both of these kitties are ‘special needs’ kitties – looking for their ‘special family’! Vegas is considered ‘special’ because of her “catitude”. Vegas is a beautiful Calico and has been at ICHS for over 3 years. She is 5-6 years old and is declawed in the front. Vegas lives in the quiet Catnip Lounge where she is somewhat isolated from noise and people which is the type of environment that she prefers. However living in that room, she doesn’t get exposed to many potential adopters. A sign on her cage says “Staff Only” which may deter people from considering her as a candidate for adoption anyway. It is not that Vegas isn’t friendly – she’s just “choosy”. Can you imagine how great YOU would feel if Vegas chose YOU as her chosen one!!! In all fairness to Vegas, she is getting better about people, and most of her “antics” occur when she has to go back into her cage. She would prefer a house (with YOU in it) - not a metal cage!

Lance is a sweet orange tabby who has FeLV (feline leukemia virus). He is about 3 years old and came to ICHS in August of 2011. He has such an amazing personality, loves to play and loves attention. There are so many people that would love to take him home – if he didn’t have FeLV. Now other than having tested positive for FeLV, he is perfectly HEALTHY! Lance is considered “asymptomatic” which means that although he has the virus, he is otherwise healthy and his lifespan should be ‘relatively’ normal. So what’s the problem? The problem is that he cannot live with other cats (unless they are also FeLV) as this virus is shed in saliva, nasal secretions, feces and urine. The other problem is that he needs a loving family just like all of our other kitties – but people pass him by – not willing to take a chance with a “special needs” cat.

If you are planning to adopt a cat, please give Vegas or Lance your consideration. Either one of these kitties would be a perfect fit in a quiet household. They have to be indoor cats. Lance must be an only cat (may live with other FeLV cats). Although Vegas might be OK with another cat, she would probably prefer being your “one and only”. It is understood that not just any family can take “special needs” animals, but there are special families out there. Are you one of these special families?

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